[zebrachick83]

so i had my 22 week visit today and doc tells me that baby is bigger than average and that i need to ..... (drumroll).... watch my weight gain.

i only had about 10 weeks between giving birth to ds before we got pg with new baby, so i still had about 10 lbs left to lose. nurse tells me i've already gained 20 lbs!

so, does anybody know how to gain only 5 more pounds between now and august???? both of our babies have been med free deliveries and i don't relish the idea of pushing out a 10 pounder!

:

 

[dislocator3972]

I gained 9 lbs last month and my midwife recommended exercise, but NOT changing my diet. She said as long as you're eating all the good stuff you need to be, there's no reason to limit your intake while pregnant.

There are always prenatal exercise videos from the library, and Netflix has one prenatal yoga video you can watch instantly, plus walking, walking, walking. The hardest part about exercising while pregnant is having time between work and sleep, but if you're committed, you'll find the time.

Good luck!

 

[Talula Fairie]

You can't limit weight gain. There is no way to do that. Eat healthfully and get moderate exercise is all you can do. Perhaps your body needs to gain this weight. There's a reason we gain in pregnancy, it's so that we have fat stores for breastfeeding. It's normal and natural, and it's also ridiculous that the medical industry put an arbitrary number on how much you're 'allowed' to gain.

 

[adoremybabe]

I am 23 weeks and I have already gained 21-22 pounds. At my 20 week appoinment, my care provider said this... "You've gained some extra weight, but that's okay." I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was telling me that I gained too much.

Do not limit your weight gain. Eat a healthy diet and exercise. I haven't been exercising at all..aside from normal household and child rearing duties. I guess that today is the day to start. It's a bit difficult for me because I need to get in my car and go elsewhere to walk. I live on a semi high traffic country road that I don't feel comfortable taking my kids on. I also haven't been eating great. So I started that change a few days ago. So here is to slowing down my weight gain...in a healthy way.

Now I ask, Have you really gained 20 lbs or did the nurse take into account the pounds that you didn't yet lose after your last baby was born?

 

[rclaz]

I was JUST talking to a friend about this! I've gained more than I want to, and more than my doc is happy with. Up until 13 weeks, I'd gained 3 lbs. At my next appt (16 week) I'd gained 5, then another 5, and then 8!! Ack! Meanwhile, I've been exercising and being really good with my diet. I'm not sure what else I can do. I guess I'm just a gainer? I wont go hungry, and I wont deprive myself or the baby of good stuff. I did look online for some healthy pregnancy diets...not as in weight loss, but as in nutrition. I saw the Brewers diet, but it felt like too much food to me. I tried and couldn't eat it all. So, here is what I'm doing now. I am limiting my carbs to lots of veggies, and fruit. NO processed carbs: cereal, bread, pasta. I'm FINE with potatos, etc. As long as it comes from the earth, it's okay in my book. Lots of veggies, like I said, and lean proteins: chicken, turkey, fish, beans. Fruits I am eating, but I eat them alone, not with anything else, so it doesn't affect my insulin levels or digestion. Not that I know it does, but I'm trying that out as a way of eating. I have very little to NO refined sugars. That is the hardest part, and I broke down last night and had a piece of dark chocolate. Oh well. A girl has got to live! Point being. I'm trying to be smart and healthy. That is the best I can do. The rest is up to nature!!

 

[BeagleMommy]

You really don't want to limit your fat intake during pregnancy.
Here's the diet I have been trying to follow:
Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers

Cod Liver Oil to supply 20,000 IU vitamin A and 2000 IU vitamin D per day

1 quart (or 32 ounces) whole milk daily, preferably raw and from pasture-fed cows (learn more about raw milk on our website, A Campaign for Real Milk, www.realmilk.com)

4 tablespoons butter daily, preferably from pasture-fed cows

2 or more eggs daily, preferably from pastured chickens

Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, etc.

3-4 ounces fresh liver, once or twice per week (If you have been told to avoid liver for fear of getting "too much Vitamin A," be sure to read Vitamin A Saga)

Fresh seafood, 2-4 times per week, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs

Fresh beef or lamb daily, always consumed with the fat

Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D

2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc.

Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages

Bone broths used in soups, stews and sauces

Soaked whole grains

Fresh vegetables and fruits

AVOID:

* Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated oils)
* Junk foods
* Commercial fried foods
* Sugar
* White flour
* Soft drinks
* Caffeine
* Alcohol
* Cigarettes
* Drugs (even prescription drugs)
This is from the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Don't worry about the "experts" commenting on your weight gain. If you're eating good foods, as you said, just eat.

 

[ComfyCozy]

Bigger than average? I'd be wary of being diagnosed with "big baby" at this point in the pregnancy. You'll be able to birth any baby your body grows, especially as you've done it twice before. As far as weight gain, your most gaining will be in the second tri, and it often comes in spurts which then level out in the weeks/months after that. Listen to your doctor, but then apply what you know and what your instinct tells you and make your decision. I heartily agree with the above PP's about not restricting your diet, but the addition of exercise can add a good balance.

BeagleMommy--I love a TF diet!! You know Nina Planck was supposed to release a Real Food for the chilbearing year this month...I need to find that.

 

[zebrachick83]

thanks so much ladies!!! i feel better now.... both of our previous babies have been a little on the small side, so i never thought about the possibility of a large baby. but dh is 6'3" and i tend to go past 40 weeks, so doc says the only factor i can control is weight gain.

i definitely do need to eat better, so like you guys have said, this is a good time to start that. i just started exercising again this week....

: and i found out that i am wayyyyyy out of shape...

so i guess, big baby or not, i should try to live healthier....

:

our babies are lactose intolerant, so when i'm nursing, i have to lay off ice cream and soda pop to ease their tummies. maybe i should get a head start on that now....

 

[Jilian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebrachick83 thanks so much ladies!!! i feel better now.... both of our previous babies have been a little on the small side, so i never thought about the possibility of a large baby. but dh is 6'3" and i tend to go past 40 weeks, so doc says the only factor i can control is weight gain.

Weight gain does not mean anything when it comes to baby's size. I gained 53 lbs with DS1 and he still only weighed 7 lbs 5 ozs. It just means you will have more weight to lose pp and that is not so much fun. You say that you tend to go past 40 weeks and still have small babies, all the more reason to make sure you are eating well. If you are eating any junk food you might want to cut that out or limit it but please keep yourself full and eat when your body tells you to. There is no way a doctor can accurately diagnose a "big baby" at this point - that is ridiculous!

20 lbs is not too much at this point. Sometimes we have growth spurts just like our babies do. If you had gained 40 already then I'd be a little concerned but 20 is not a big deal. But it is going to be very hard to stay under 25 lbs total weight gain - and you shouldn't that is a very low number! It is ok to gain 40 or 50 lbs in pregnancy, as long as you are eating healthy your body will gain what it needs to gain.

 

[Rockies5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebrachick83 nurse tells me i've already gained 20 lbs! so, does anybody know how to gain only 5 more pounds between now and august???? both of our babies have been med free deliveries and i don't relish the idea of pushing out a 10 pounder! :

more important then pounds, is health. You should eat well of a varied low fat diet, excercize moderatley and daily and you gain what you will.

There is no way to HEALTHFULLY limit yourself to 5lbs of scale weight.

IF while being active and eating what you desire of fruits vegatables proteins and grains you happen to only gain 5lbs on a scale,

all the better.

But I would focus on being active and eating well daily and make what the scale or dr says secondary.

You don't have diabetes, high blood pressure or any other pregnancy complication. You've gained less then average at this point. Focus on that.

 

[Mom&BabyChiro]

I agree with ALL these posts! What a bunch of great mommas we have in this DDC . Continue to eat when you're hungry, just make sure to choose healthy, whole foods and limit processed foods and refined grains and sugars as much as possible.

And do your best to find the motivation for some exercise too! I finally got out of bed 15 minutes early yesterday for a quick walk around the neighborhood before heading off for work...trying to remember that even a short walk is WAY better than not doing it at all.

If you're eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting at least some regular exercise, try not to be concerned about the numbers on the scale. Trust your body to know how much weight it needs to gain in order to support and nurture your growing baby...now, and throughout the breastfeeding process.

 

[Ranni]

Weight gain is no indication at all of how big your baby will be!!!! Diet is the most important thing to concern yourself with the numbers are irrelevant! I would be very concerned that your doc is already bringing this issue up. I get HUGE when I am pregnant it's just what my body does I gained 80lbs. with DD1 and she was just under 6 lbs. With DD2 I gained 60lbs. and she was around 8 and a half lbs. I am a generally fit mama I exercise while pregnant and eat very well for whatever reason I just gain a lot of pregnancy weight and I assume it is something my body needs. So far I have gained almost 30 and I am also due in August. My midwife does not ever ask what my weight is, if I chose to weigh myself it is for my information, she sees it as completely unimportant to my health and care.

Ranni

 

[marlygf]

I agree with everyone else. Besides, exercise will help with your labor so that's always a plus!
I gained 35lbs with my first, went to 42 weeks he was 9lbs 2oz. Second, 25lbs, went to 40w and he weighed 8lb 2oz. third, 25lbs went to 39w and she weighed 7lbs. So really, I gained more with my first but he also baked longer. I think you just need to eat healthy and exercise. If you end up gaining 50lbs, you end up gaining 50lbs.

Can I say this time I didn't know my starting weight and I've been doing my appointments at my midwives house. She doesn't have a scale there so I don't know how much I currently weigh. This will be my first pregnancy I have no idea what I will have gained

I do want to get a scale so I can see how much I'll lose the day of. It's always fun for me to do that

 

[sunnyCA]

I go for my 21 week visit this afternoon. I have no idea what the scale will say, but have to admit I am nervous. I gained 40lbs with my first and honestly felt that was too much. I had lost all of it before getting pg again, but hope to not gain quite so much. However, I agree with others, it is not 100% in our control. I don't believe this is the time to diet. Exercise is the key, but like other Mom's time is the issue.

 

[aydensmama]

With my first I gained 60lbs! That was too much for me.

With my second I gained 40lbs. This was doable, but the weight stayed for a bit. The gains was consistent during the pregnancy- I am sure 20lbs by midwayish.

I wanted to gain less this time, but at 20 weeks I was at 18. So it looks like another 40.

I do not get sick in the beginning and high protien energy foods help me feel better in the beginning when I am exhausted. I thought I wouldn't gain as much in the first 16 weeks or so if I tried, but I couldn't stop eating.

I wouldn't worry- you body probably needs it!

 

[Talula Fairie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeagleMommy You really don't want to limit your fat intake during pregnancy. Here's the diet I have been trying to follow: Diet for Pregnant and Nursing Mothers Cod Liver Oil to supply 20,000 IU vitamin A and 2000 IU vitamin D per day 1 quart (or 32 ounces) whole milk daily, preferably raw and from pasture-fed cows (learn more about raw milk on our website, A Campaign for Real Milk, www.realmilk.com) 4 tablespoons butter daily, preferably from pasture-fed cows 2 or more eggs daily, preferably from pastured chickens Additional egg yolks daily, added to smoothies, salad dressings, scrambled eggs, etc. 3-4 ounces fresh liver, once or twice per week (If you have been told to avoid liver for fear of getting "too much Vitamin A," be sure to read Vitamin A Saga) Fresh seafood, 2-4 times per week, particularly wild salmon, shellfish and fish eggs Fresh beef or lamb daily, always consumed with the fat Oily fish or lard daily, for vitamin D 2 tablespoons coconut oil daily, used in cooking or smoothies, etc. Lacto-fermented condiments and beverages Bone broths used in soups, stews and sauces Soaked whole grains Fresh vegetables and fruits AVOID: * Trans fatty acids (e.g., hydrogenated oils) * Junk foods * Commercial fried foods * Sugar * White flour * Soft drinks * Caffeine * Alcohol * Cigarettes * Drugs (even prescription drugs) This is from the Weston A. Price Foundation. Don't worry about the "experts" commenting on your weight gain. If you're eating good foods, as you said, just eat.

WHOA!!! That's a whole lot of dairy and eggs and meat. I think that's a little too much

Where'd you get this diet?

 

[August09baby]

Maybe check out Brewers diet. It is a lot of food but at least you will know you are getting all of the right nutrients.

http://nutrition.birthingnaturally.n...iles/frame.htm

I agree with pp's who say you cant limit your weight gain while pregnant. I think you just eat well, avoid the sugary stuff and simple carbs and know you are growing a healthy beautiful baby.

 

[wombatclay]

The Brewer Diet is also a very milk heavy diet. Although there are variations on the diet that use less dairy or less meat, it's hard to follow if you have trouble with milk/meat (ethical, religious, dietary). It's also not a good choice if you're concerned about gainging more weight or a large baby... you'll find many references on Brewer Diet sites to the benefit of gaining more weight or growing a larger babe. I'm not saying that this is wrong (and I've followed a modified brewer diet in the past) but if you're worried about pounds this isn't the plan to use!

There is a nice list of eating ideas here (the page discusses dietary practices that may prevent GD or reduce the need for medication but it's applicable to all pregnant women). And the overall page may be of interest to everyone concerned about weight gain since the focus of the site is on "plus sized" pregnancy and combating weight discrimination among birth attendants.

Personally, I gained close to 70lbs with dd1 and she was 9lbs 4 oz at birth. I gained barely 30lbs with dd2 and she was 9lbs even. Both girls were within a half inch of each other in terms of length. So my personal experience is that genetics play a much bigger role in baby size than does maternal weight gain.

Eat healthy, balanced meals with a focus on fresh whole foods. Use salt and seasonings to taste. Drink plenty of water. Get 20-30 minutes of light exercise a day (walking outside or with a home dvd, swimming, gentle weight lifting, walking up and down the stairs, pre-natal yoga, gentle belly dance, a home program like "Maternal Fitness" or BAKS, even just sitting on a birth ball for 30 minutes is a good thing as it strengthens the core and encourages the babe into a nice birth position). A prenatal vitamin or supplement (probiotics, extra c, whatever you feel may be lacking in your general diet) might be a good addition as well.

And then ignore the scale.

 

[ComfyCozy]

Talulah--Here's a link for where that diet came from (The Weston A. Price Foundation): http://westonaprice.org/children/dietformothers.html

 

[texaspeach]

Even the FDA food pyramid has 4 servings of dairy for pregnant women - that's a quart of milk if you're talking regular milk (a serving is 8oz). You can sub other dairy (like yogurt or cottage cheese) or cheese.